Essential education reporting across America
robles-yesenia.0.jpg

Yesenia Robles

Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado

Yesenia Robles is Chalkbeat Colorado’s Suburban Reporter looking at changes happening in Denver’s suburban school districts. Yesenia grew up in Denver, graduated from CU Boulder and is fluent in Spanish. She previously covered suburbs, education and breaking news for The Denver Post. You can reach her at yrobles@chalkbeat.org

A young girl in a blue sweatshirt, her hair in cornrows, holds up a poster showing her reading lesson.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Aurora Public Schools
Aurora is hiring its first new superintendent in a decade. Here’s what’s at stake.
The next district leader will face a divided board while trying to meet the needs of one of the state’s most diverse communities, and raising their academic achievement.
By Yesenia Robles and Carina Julig
 
A teenage girl sits in a doorframe, silhouetted by light coming in through the door into a dark hallway behind her.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Meeting the Moment
This Colorado school district is piloting a program to help elementary students who are grieving
Cherry Creek schools is funding a pilot program with nonprofit Judi’s House to create the curriculum.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Una mujer joven con pelo largo y oscuro, lleva pantalón de mezclilla y tiene una chamarra en las manos. Ella esta parada viendo la cámara mientras otras personas caminan detrás de ella.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Después de superar obstáculos, esta universitaria está luchando por la reforma migratoria
Está planeando una manifestación el 11 de marzo en el Capitolio en Denver.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A young woman with dark hair holds a pink jacket and looks at the camera. She is standing in front of a college building and there are other blurred people walking through campus behind her.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Tackling racism
Once an unaccompanied minor, this college student now fights for immigration reform
She’s planning a rally in Denver on Sat. March 11.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Photo shows half the pale blue glass dome and the upper level of the Colorado Supreme Court chambers at the Ralph Carr Judicial Center in Denver, Colorado.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Adams 14 School District
Colorado Supreme Court will review the dismissal of the Adams 14 lawsuit against the state
The case will examine local control, and districts’ authority to appeal State Board of Education orders.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A female teacher is writing on a white board to the right as students sit behind her in desks.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Colorado school case study highlights need for collaboration in turnaround work
The study looked at schools in Greeley that have sustained their improvements.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Students wearing coats walk in a line behind a teacher who faces them, in front of a brick school house that houses University Prep in Denver.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Charters & Choice
University Prep won a second appeal against Adams 14, but path toward opening remains a question
The State Board of Education granted a second appeal after the district refused to renegotiate the contract.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A teacher sits at a horseshoe desk working with six elementary-age children. They have papers on the desk, and the students are following along.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Student & School Performance
Four-day week in 27J schools had negative impact on housing market, academics, study finds
Homeowners may have been better off paying the higher property taxes the district first asked for, the study suggests.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A poster with different faces and the Arabic word for them is on the classroom door of Dr. Moghazy’s class. Students on the left are walking out as class ends.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Tras el éxito de su programa de español, esta escuela de Denver ofrece ahora clases en árabe
Las clases de idioma ayudan a los estudiantes de Denver a hablar con sus abuelos, leer literatura y conseguir trabajo .
By Yesenia Robles
 
A man, Mohamed Moghazy, is standing in front of a desk where two teen girls are sitting. The girls have their hands out, palms up, and he is writing in the palm of their hands in henna.
From Chalkbeat Colorado English language learners
One Denver teacher is growing a new Arabic program, teaching language and culture
If successful, the teacher wants to follow the path laid out by the Spanish language arts program at the school.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Two adult women sit at a long table inside a school classroom.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
¿Sabes lo que hacen los consejeros escolares bilingües?
Los consejeros no se reúnen con los estudiantes para solamente hablar sobre sus calificaciones. También brindan consejería de salud mental, algo que a veces no se aprovecha.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Elementary students and faculty walk down a white hallway on the first day of school.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School Enrollment
Colorado school enrollment drops again, while fewer students are home-schooled
Look up your district enrollment and how it has changed over time.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Students walk through the hall at Adams City High School between classes Monday, Feb. 4, 2019.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Adams 14 School District
New Colorado State Board of Education blocks a charter appeal against Adams 14
The new, expanded Colorado State Board of Education voted 5-3.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Two adult women sit at a long table inside a school classroom.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Mental Health in Schools
Meet the Helpers: How a bilingual school counselor in Adams 14 helps students and families
As more schools focus on student mental health, Chalkbeat examines how these roles are designed to help.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A close up of graduates wearing blue gowns and mortar boards with gold stoles. A blue cap is in the foreground.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Student & School Performance
Colorado graduation rate went up with class of 2022, but so did the dropout rate
School districts continue to see pandemic-era struggles ahead.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Chairs and equipment are stacked up in an empty classroom in deep shadow.
From Chalkbeat Colorado School Enrollment
Jeffco proposes $32 million in school upgrades to accommodate students from closing schools
School board members were initially shocked at the price and will consider downsizing some projects in January or February.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A boy with glasses peeks out from behind his backpack straps while he waits outside his school.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Los líderes de Adams 14 prometen mejorar la educación vocacional y ayudar más a los estudiantes de inglés
Los líderes de Adams 14 están luchando contra la intervención del estado. Al mismo tiempo, dicen que están trabajando para mejorar la educación.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Denver schools Superintendent Alex Marrero high-fives a young student wearing a pink backpack in a school hallway. The superintendent is wearing a suit and a face mask.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
¿Aún cerrarán escuelas en Denver? Lo que sabemos hasta el momento.
Aún no hay recomendaciones nuevas, pero no significa que se haya descartado la idea.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A teacher sits in front of students at University Prep Elementary’s flagship school in Denver as they sit on a colorful carpet.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Adams 14 School District
Colorado’s State Board of Education wants Adams 14 to negotiate with University Prep charter leaders again
If the district and charter fail to finalize a contract, the case can return to the State Board.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A masked woman in a suit leans in over a long table to talk with students in a crowded school gym.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Adams 14 School District
Adams 14 school board gives superintendent new contract and large raise
The new contract gives Superintendent Karla Loría a raise reflecting new duties since the district terminated a contract with an external manager.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A young boy with short hair reaches his hand high in the air, straining to be called on in a classroom. Two other students look toward the front of the classroom as well. They are all wearing medical masks.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Student & School Performance
Audit: Colorado school accountability system ‘reasonable and appropriate’
Colorado’s school rating system accurately identifies low-performing schools and helps them improve, an audit of the accountability system finds.
By Erica Meltzer and Yesenia Robles
 
Aurora Superintendent Rico Munn, wearing a green tie and glasses, poses for a portrait while seated. A portrait of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall hangs on the wall.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Aurora Public Schools
Aurora school board and superintendent had ‘different visions’ for the district
The Aurora school board voted 4-3 this week to accept a transition plan. Rico Munn has led the district for more than 9 years.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A boy with glasses peeks out from behind his backpack straps while he waits outside his school.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Student & School Performance
How Adams 14 is working to improve learning while it fights state intervention
The plans laid out by Adams 14 leaders include community schools, career academies, and more help for English learners and their teachers.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A young student wearing a mask sits in a classroom with a teacher standing nearby.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Student & School Performance
Colorado is adding new measures to how schools are rated
Changes had been in the works, but were delayed when the pandemic began.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Flags fly outside the Adams 14 school district headquarters. The district logo sits prominently in front of the building. The sky is a clear blue.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Charter schools
Adams 14 rejects a charter proposal for a high school with a community schools model
The district cited numerous concerns, but charter leaders say they won’t give up.
By Yesenia Robles
 
High school students walk through a wide and dark hallway at Adams City High School. There’s a window behind them that illuminates the floors.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Adams 14 School District
Superintendents, parents, and a mayor will be among the people considering Adams 14 reorganization
The reorganization committee’s first meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 15.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A woman with dark hair lifts her glasses to wipe her eyes with a tissue. There’s a laptop and mic in front of her.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Jeffco Public Schools
Jeffco board votes unanimously to close 16 elementary schools
The elementary schools will close at the end of the school year.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A group of women stand outside an elementary school. They hold signs that say “Don’t Close Our School,” “Colfax is Our Family,” and “DPS, Please Listen” in Spanish.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Chalkbeat En Español
Cierre de escuelas: Cómo Denver, Jeffco y Aurora están abordando la decisión
Los líderes de los distritos de Denver, Jeffco y Aurora tuvieron en cuenta varios factores a la hora de decidir qué escuelas cerrar. Aquí veremos cómo cada distrito está manejando el cierre de escuelas.
By Yesenia Robles and Melanie Asmar
 
A teacher pats one of his students on the head while he is working at a desk, seated next to a young girl.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Shrinking Schools
Where are the kids? Colorado school enrollment trends shed light on closure discussions
As Colorado districts prepare to vote on school closures, Chalkbeat answered some common questions.
By Melanie Asmar, Yesenia Robles, and 2 more
 
A door that is labeled Lunch Room.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Campaigns and elections
Election results: Colorado voters favor Proposition FF, free school meals
Advocates believe most school districts would participate and provide free school meals to all students.
By Yesenia Robles